Al-Zaidi
Joy mixed with fear as US forces leave Iraq amid potential security vacuum
Some Iraqi security officials say the US pullout also risks giving new life to ISIS fighters, who, despite the defeat of their self-proclaimed caliphate nearly a decade ago, retain a cell network.
The Iraq-Syria border is becoming the Middle East's most important new energy corridor - analysis
US agrees to continue physical dollar cash shipments, Iraqi government says
Iraq moves to put off militia disarmament until June 2027 while US moves out
Iraqi military commander dismissed following drone attack on Saudi Arabia originating from Iraq
Later on Saturday, Iraq ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran as a precautionary measure after the drone attacks, two security sources told Reuters.
Iraq emerges as Iran’s economic lifeline amid tighter US sanctions
Iraq’s close political and commercial ties with Iran, give Tehran access to trade routes, currency markets, and commercial networks that are difficult for US authorities to monitor.
US diplomatic reshuffle in Iraq comes at critical moment for Baghdad and Washington - analysis
US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris is ending his posting in Baghdad as Washington prepares for a diplomatic transition amid the planned US troop withdrawal from Iraq and ongoing tensions.
Iraq appears to delay militia disarmament as Iran-backed factions pressure Baghdad - analysis
Now Iraq appears to be backtracking on the deadline for placing militia weapons under state control.
Iraq seeks Saudi, Syrian ties as it faces pressure to rein in Iran-backed militias - analysis
Iraq’s militias have threatened US forces and Israel in the past. They have kidnapped journalists and carried out hundreds of attacks on the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.
Iraq’s PM seeks to disarm Iran-backed militias, but Tehran wants to meddle - analysis
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have roots stretching back to the 1980's and are the product of decades of Iranian policy aimed at cultivating armed proxies beyond its borders.
US-Saudi Arabia airstrikes target Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces militia in Iraq
The strikes followed a series of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. The United States has made clear that it believes Iran-directed militias are responsible for the escalation.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrives in Iran to meet with President Masoud Pezeshkian
Zaidi's visit also comes more than a week after he met with US President Donald Trump on July 14.
Iraq forced to balance US, Iran relations after separate meetings with Trump, Iranian ambassador
Over the last decade, Iraq has been weakened from within because of Iranian-backed militias. Some of the militias have historical ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran.
US pushes Mediterranean oil pipelines to bypass Strait of Hormuz despite proxy security risks
Middle East correspondent Battaglia said that, in her view, if it were up to al-Zaidi, Baghdad would already have decided to chart its future with the United States rather than with Iran.
